Pretty Poison (1968) Movie Review
Pretty Poison (1968), starring Anthony Perkins and Tuesday Weld, is a psychological thriller that blends dark humor with suspense. Directed by Noel Black and based on Stephen Geller’s novel She Let Him Continue, the film follows Dennis Pitt (Anthony Perkins), a young man recently released from a mental institution, as he attempts to reintegrate into society. However, Dennis’ reintegration is complicated by his difficulty distinguishing between reality and fantasy, which leads him down a dangerous path.
Dennis Pitt is an odd but sympathetic character, whose bizarre behavior is the product of an overactive imagination. He was institutionalized for arson and is monitored by his probation officer, Morton Azenauer (John Randolph). Morton encourages Dennis to focus on finding stability through a job and staying out of trouble. Yet Dennis, plagued by a compulsion to escape reality, doesn’t follow this advice for long. He invents an alter ego as a secret government agent working on covert operations. It is in this guise that Dennis meets Sue Ann Stepanek (Tuesday Weld), a high school majorette and seemingly innocent young woman living in a small town. Drawn to her beauty and naiveté, Dennis pulls her into his fantasy world, claiming he needs her help on a secret mission. Fascinated by his charm and the excitement he offers, Sue Ann goes along with his stories.
As Dennis’ tales grow more elaborate, Sue Ann’s true nature begins to reveal itself. While she initially seems like a stereotypical “good girl” impressed by Dennis’ supposed spy identity, she gradually exhibits a darker, more unpredictable personality. She is not merely a passive participant but rather becomes an enthusiastic accomplice, her innocent facade slowly giving way to a disturbing amorality. Dennis soon realizes he’s in over his head, as Sue Ann’s behavior becomes increasingly unpredictable and dangerous.
The turning point in their relationship occurs when Dennis and Sue Ann commit what was supposed to be a harmless prank at a local factory but ends in the murder of Sue Ann’s boss. Dennis is horrified, feeling guilty and conflicted, but Sue Ann’s reaction is disturbingly calm, even detached. This event reveals that Sue Ann is not merely caught up in Dennis’ fantasies but is an equally, if not more, disturbed individual. While Dennis struggles with the moral consequences of their actions, Sue Ann manipulates him, showing a chilling lack of empathy.
As the plot progresses, Dennis tries to distance himself from Sue Ann, realizing her capacity for violence is beyond his control. However, Sue Ann’s obsession with him deepens, and she insists they remain together. She even threatens to reveal his involvement in the factory incident if he leaves her, thereby trapping him in a dangerous relationship. Dennis’ desperate attempts to extricate himself from this situation drive the plot to a tense climax.
The movie’s resolution takes a dark turn as Sue Ann orchestrates another murder, this time of her own mother, using Dennis as a scapegoat. The complexities of their relationship, initially built on deception and thrill-seeking, descend into mutual destruction. Sue Ann’s manipulation culminates in Dennis taking the fall for her actions, landing him back in institutional care while she walks free.
Pretty Poison is a provocative exploration of innocence turned deadly and the dark side of small-town America. The film plays with the audience’s expectations, positioning Dennis as the mentally unstable character initially, only to reveal Sue Ann as the true source of danger. Anthony Perkins’ portrayal of Dennis, with his nervous, vulnerable disposition, is reminiscent of his role in Psycho, capturing a character on the edge of sanity yet still sympathetic. Tuesday Weld is equally compelling, embodying the transformation from innocence to malice with chilling ease.
The film’s dark humor and unexpected plot twists add to its allure, challenging viewers to reconsider notions of sanity, guilt, and deception. It suggests that evil can lurk behind a veneer of normalcy and that appearances can be deceiving, as Sue Ann’s wholesome facade conceals a deeply disturbed psyche. The contrast between Dennis’ imaginative escapism and Sue Ann’s cold calculation creates a compelling dynamic that drives the film’s tension.
In Pretty Poison, the notion of innocence is turned upside down, with Sue Ann emerging as the true “poison” in the relationship. The film serves as a psychological study of manipulation, vulnerability, and the dangerous allure of fantasy. Its complex characters and moral ambiguity make it a standout thriller that explores the often blurred line between reality and imagination, challenging viewers to question who the real villain is in a world where innocence can be the ultimate deception.
